Spectacular Rhodia warm-up races at the Trophée Clairefontaine Valencia

One couldn't have asked for better conditions on the opening day of the Trophée Clairefontaine Valencia. The Rhodia warm up races got underway at 3pm right inside Port America's Cup with a very nice breeze that reached 10 knots and gave the dozens of spectators the opportunity to watch 8 very close races.

There is no doubt, wind allowing of course, that this race format can be very spectacular, especially considering the peculiar race course that includes a stretch and a buoy inside the canal, causing pileups and quite often a few penalties. Add the fact spectators can sit anywhere they like and be a mere 10 meters from the action and you surely have an attractive show. Organizers have made sure even absolute beginners can understand what's going on with live commentary

Being warm up races that don't count towards the trophy, today's results should be taken with a pinch of salt. Nevertheless, it appears it is going to be a battle between Loïck Peyron and the two Alinghi teams, Red and Black. The French sailor, 7-time winner of the Trophée Clairefontaine, ended the day at the top of the leaderboard with 64 points, with Alinghi Red and Black tied at 50 points. It's interesting to notice that all three team had two victories throughout the day but Peyron's consistency put him ahead of the America's Cup Defender crews. Both Ed Baird, helming the Black, and Luc Dubois, helming the Red, had finished last in one of the 8 races.

Frenchman Nicolas Charbonnier and Spaniard Fernando León won one race each.

Racing at earnest begins on Saturday with a 30-minute race in front of the Malvarosa beach. After a paella lunch (well, this is Valencia after all) in Valencia's yacht club the 8 teams will return to Port America's Cup in order to compete in 5 races.

Rhodia Warm-up results

1- Loïck Peyron 64 pts
2- Alinghi Red 50 pts
3- Alinghi Black 50 pts
4- Michel Desjoyeaux 37 pts
5- Nicolas Charbonnier 36 pts
6- Fernando León 36 pts
7- Jean-Pierre Dick 22 pts
8- Claire Leroy 17 pts

Rhodia warm-up races of the Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Loïck Peyron, winner of the Rhodia warm-up races. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Rhodia warm-up races of the Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi Red and Jean-Pierre Dick. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Claire Leroy, women's match racing champion in 2007 and 2008, is the only all-female team. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Rhodia warm-up races of the Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mark roundings inside the canal can be spectacular but also accidental. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Michel Desjoyeaux, winner of the 2007 Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The only Spanish entry of the Trophée Clairefontaine with Fernando León, Kiko Sánchez Luna and Guillermo Altadill. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Alinghi Black crew, from left, Rodney Ardern, Pieter Nieuwenhuyzen and Ed Baird. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Spinnaker drop on Michel Desjoyeaux's boat. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Rhodia warm-up races of the Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Rhodia warm-up races of the Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing